APPLICANT INFORMATION PACKAppointment ofHousekeeperFlexible start dateCONTENTSAppointment ofSchool Bus DriverFor an Autumn Term (September 2024) startWelcome to Brambletye SchoolA Brambletye EducationThe Role at BrambletyeKey Duties & ResponsibilitiesPerson SpecificationA Brambletye WorkplaceSafeguarding, Equality & DiversityYour Application3456891011…. a very warm welcome and thank you so much for your interest in working at BrambletyeSchool.My name is Will Brooks, and I have had the privilege of leading this wonderful school as Headsince 2015. Founded in 1919 as a small boys’ boarding school in Kent, Brambletye moved to itscurrent home in 1933. Today, we are a thriving independent co-educational prep school forchildren aged 2 to 13, set within a beautiful country house surrounded by the stunning, tranquillandscapes of the Ashdown Forest and overlooking the Weir Wood Reservoir.At Brambletye, everything we do is guided by three core values: Work Hard, Play Hard, BeKind. I am incredibly proud of our staff – they are, without doubt, the school’s greatest strength.From our Prep, Pre-Prep and Nursery teams, teaching assistants, and boarding staff, to ourspecialist teachers of sport, music, and drama, and the dedicated colleagues across ourBursary, Admin, Estates, and Housekeeping departments – every member of staff plays a vitalrole in creating the warm, dynamic, and nurturing environment our pupils and their familiescherish.What truly sets Brambletye apart is the passion and pride our staff bring to their roles, workingtogether as one team to provide the very best for our pupils.I believe Brambletye offers not only an inspiring place to work, but also a culture that valuesopenness, support, and above all, the wellbeing and morale of our staff.I hope you find this Applicant Information Pack both useful and insightful, and I look forward tothe possibility of welcoming you to Brambletye in the near future.Will Brooks HeadWELCOME TO BRAMBLETYE SCHOOLAt Brambletye, we are more than just a school – we are a family.We share experiences, support one another, and create an environment where kindness is asvalued as achievement. Our pupils learn to celebrate each other’s successes as much as theirown, fostering a spirit of encouragement and empathy.A Brambletye education is centred on the individual. We nurture each child’s unique strengths,helping them discover the areas in which they can truly excel, while building their confidenceand self-esteem. From the earliest years, we instil a love of learning, a curiosity about the world,and a generous spirit. Most importantly, we encourage our pupils to appreciate theiradvantages and develop into responsible young people who understand their power to make apositive difference in society.Our curriculum is broad and stimulating, preparing pupils for Common Entrance or academicscholarship examinations at 13+. Children are primarily taught by one teacher until the end ofYear 4, after which they benefit from specialist teaching in each subject.Life at Brambletye extends far beyond the classroom. Sport, music, art, drama, and anextensive range of clubs and activities all play a key role in shaping a well-rounded education.Pastoral care is at the heart of everything we do. Every member of staff – from our teachers andboarding team to our bursary, estates, and support staff – plays an active role in the wellbeingof our pupils. We firmly believe that true academic success is only possible when built on afoundation of happiness and confidence. Our multi-layered pastoral system includes formtutors, personal tutors, house staff, and boarding staff, ensuring that every pupil feelssupported and valued.Today, Brambletye is home to around 300 pupils, from Nursery to Year 8, with a healthybalance of day pupils and boarders. Many of our children also choose to board part-time as dayboarders, enjoying the best of both worlds.At the end of their Brambletye journey, our pupils move on to a wide range of leading seniorschools, including Tonbridge, Benenden, King’s Canterbury, Charterhouse, Sevenoaks, Eton,Brighton, Eastbourne, Ardingly, Hurst, Uppingham, Marlborough, and Oundle.A BRAMBLETYE EDUCATIONOVERVIEW OF ROLEHousekeepers at Brambletye are responsible for maintaining consistently high standards ofcleanliness, hygiene, and presentation across the school.  This is achieved through the deliveryof a wide range of cleaning and laundry duties, carried out with care, efficiency, and attention todetail.  Our Housekeepers are expected to work in line with health and safety guidelines, take pride intheir work, and contribute positively to the smooth running of the school.  Day-to-dayresponsibilities will include general cleaning duties such as vacuuming, dusting, polishing,mopping, buffing, and the safe disposal of waste, ensuring that all areas are kept clean, safe, andwelcoming.In addition, Housekeepers support the school’s laundry operation. This involves assisting withthe sorting of the laundry, washing, drying, ironing, folding, and distribution of school andboarding laundry. Efficiency and accuracy are key, ensuring that items are well cared for,returned promptly, and maintained to the school’s standards.HOURS OF WORKOption A - Either 5:00am to 8:00am or 6:00am to 9:00am - Monday to Friday.Option B - 9:00am to 12:00pm - Monday to FridayOption C - 6:00am to 12:00pm - Monday to FridayPlease clearly state on your application which option you wish to be considered for.  These areterm-time only roles, plus additional hours as detailed below. ADDITIONAL HOURSSchool Holidays (3 weeks in total)Contracted hours to be worked before the start of each term, the exact days and hours of workwill be agreed with the Head of Housekeeping.Summer School (1 week in total)Contracted hours to be worked during one of the first 5 weeks of the Brambletye summerholidays. The exact days and hours of work will be agreed with the Head of Housekeeping.School Inset DaysThere is the requirement to attend mandatory Inset sessions which will be communicatedthrough the Head of Housekeeping. These will be (but not limited to) whole school staffmeetings, safeguarding training, health and safety training, fire training etc. If the Inset sessionsattended are not able to be covered by school holiday hours, they will be paid at thepostholder’s standard hourly rate as overtime.HOUSEKEEPERMAIN DUTIES Responsible for ensuring the cleanliness of your designated area, and for maintaining highand consistent standards.Assisting and performing laundry duties as required and for maintaining high and consistentstandards.Take initiative to perform cleaning and tidying tasks that you are not specifically instructedto do but require attention as part of maintaining the overall high cleanliness standard ofthe school.Perform all cleaning tasks as per specification and to the required standard.Ensure all Health and Safety and general procedure compliance, reporting any issues to theHead of Housekeeping.Keep machinery and equipment in good working order and report any issues and/orcleaning supplies requirements to the Head of Housekeeping.ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIESSupport and foster the aims of the School.Be professional and a good role model to the pupils at all times.Attend all staff meetings (if required), Inset days and any other relevant training whenappropriate.Be familiar with the school’s health and safety guidance and be responsible for personalhealth and safety and that of the pupils.Perform reasonable additional duties as required by the School, commensurate with thepost.SAFEGUARDINGComplete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check (DBS) and any other safeguardingchecks.Ensure familiarisation with key safeguarding policies and documents e.g. Child Protection(Safeguarding) Policy, KCSIE, Prevent Policy, Anti-Bullying Policy, IT: E-Safety Policy, StaffCode of Conduct etc.Commit to regular training regarding safeguarding e.g. Child Protection, Prevent etc. Be fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all pupils at Brambletye School.Responsible  to:Head of HousekeepingResponsible for:N/AKEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIESThe postholder may be reasonably required to perform duties other than those given in the jobdescription for the post. The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post mayvary from time to time without changing the character of the duties or the level of theresponsibility entailed. If during the course of time the duties and responsibilities detailed should change significantlyand for a sustained period of time, the job description will be reviewed and amended inconsultation with the postholder. It is the shared responsibility of the postholder and their line manager to ensure that jobdescriptions are kept up to date.Job Description Written/Updated:September 2025By:Head of Housekeeping/HR Manager Applicants should note that shortlisting will be based on this specification and should keep thisin mind when preparing and completing their application form QUALIFICATIONSA current, clean, and valid driving licence would be desirable.SKILLS & EXPERIENCEPrevious cleaning and/or laundry experience - vacuuming, dusting, mopping, buffing,disposing of waste etc.Knowledge and experience of cleaning best practices.Previous knowledge of COSHH and safe use of chemicals would be desirable.Some previous knowledge of Health and Safety regulations relating to the operation ofcleaning equipment and dilution of chemicals would also be desirable.PERSONAL QUALITIESWillingness to take personal responsibility for the standard of cleaning work carried out.Flexible approach to your work, with a willingness to clean any area of the school asdirected by the Head of Housekeeping.Reliable, punctual, and trustworthy.Good people skills.Able to understand and follow rules and procedures e.g., health and safety etc.Presentable, smart in appearance and professional in conduct.Possess an efficient working manner and good time management skills.Able to work in an organised and methodical manner.Calm, with the ability to work under pressure.Supportive team player, with the ability to work on own initiative and without supervision.Comfortable with and able to meet the physical demands of the role.Diplomatic and confidential regarding school matters.Willingness to participate in training offered by the school.PERSON SPECIFICATIONSALARY The hourly rate for these roles is £12.78.  Salaries for the roles can be provided upon request.PROBATION PERIODThe roles are subject to a 6-month probationary period.PENSION Eligible staff will be automatically enrolled into the school’s pension scheme in line withstatutory requirements.INDUCTION New staff benefit from a comprehensive and supportive induction programme, which includes:Detailed tour of the school and its facilitiesIntroductions to key members of staffChild Protection and Safeguarding trainingHealth and Safety inductionPROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & APPRAISALS We are committed to the continuous professional development (CPD) of all staff. Regularappraisals are held to support career progression and professional growth.SCHOOL FEE REMISSION A generous discount on school fees is available from the start of employment across ourNursery, Pre-Prep, and Prep School.WELLBEING & THE BRAMBLETYE COMMUNITY Brambletye places great emphasis on staff wellbeing and morale, fostering a culture of mutualsupport. Staff enjoy:Regular social events throughout the yearA vibrant, welcoming community environmentLEISURE FACILITIESStaff enjoy complimentary access (when available) to the school’s excellent leisure facilities,including sports hall, squash courts, tennis courts, and all-weather pitch.A BRAMBLETYE WORKPLACESAFEGUARDING AT BRAMBLETYE Brambletye School is firmly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of allchildren and young people in our care. We expect every member of our community - includingstaff, Governors, and volunteers—to share this commitment.Our CommitmentSafeguarding is central to everything we do at Brambletye.All staff are required to follow the school’s Child Protection (Safeguarding) Policy, ensuringthat the safety and wellbeing of our pupils is always the highest priority.Every member of staff, regardless of their role, holds responsibility for safeguarding thechildren entrusted to us.Recruitment & ScreeningAll successful applicants will undergo appropriate child protection screening, whichincludes:Reference checks with previous employersEnhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks (or international equivalent,where applicable)Positions at Brambletye are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Thismeans all convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings— including thoseconsidered "spent" under the Act—must be declared, subject to DBS filtering rules.Information provided will be treated in strict confidence, and each case will be consideredon its individual merits.Failure to disclose relevant information may lead to the withdrawal of an offer ofemployment or immediate termination of employment.Brambletye School’s Child Protection (Safeguarding) Policy can be found at here. EQUALITY & DIVERSITY Brambletye School is proud to be an inclusive and equal opportunities employer. We:Treat all applicants with dignity, fairness, and respect throughout the recruitment process.Value the diversity of our staff and actively encourage applications from candidates of allbackgrounds.Provide support where needed to ensure that every applicant has a fair opportunity tosucceed.SAFEGUARDING, EQUALITY & DIVERSITYHOW TO APPLY If you would like an informal discussion about this role before submitting your application,please contact Edina Potor (Head of Housekeeping) at epotor@brambletye.com or call 01342321004.Download the application form from the Brambletye School website.Once completed, email it to Heather White (HR Manager) at hwhite@brambletye.com.If you have any questions about the recruitment process or require assistance with theform, please contact Heather, who will be happy to help.SHORTLISTINGApplications will be assessed against the criteria outlined in this document, with shortlistedapplicants invited to attend an interview at Brambletye School.ONLINE CHECKSAll shortlisted applicants will undergo an online background check in line with the school’ssafeguarding commitments.REFERENCESReferences will normally be obtained prior to interview unless you indicate otherwise.OVERSEAS POLICE CHECK If you have lived outside the UK for more than three months in the past ten years, you will berequired to provide a police clearance certificate from the relevant country or countries.SUPPORTING RECRUITMENT DOCUMENTS & POLICIES Applicants should familiarise themselves with the school’s supporting recruitment documentsand policies, these are available on vacancies page of the school’s website here. TERM DATESInformation about the school’s term dates can be accessed here.KEY DATES Please note that we will be interviewing as applications are received, therefore early applicationis strongly advised. We reserve the right to close this vacancy when a suitable appointment has been made.YOUR APPLICATION